Being Busy - Is It Serving You?

"It is not enough if you are busy. The question is, what are you busy about?”

Henry David Thoreau

Like Thoreau said, it is not enough to simply be busy. If that were the case, we'd all be very successful - because we're all BUSY, aren't we?!

Can you relate to the feelings of being overwhelmed, of feeling slightly (or maybe more than slightly) out of control, of feeling behind, like there are a thousand things still left to do at the end of the day?

Many people feel this way, so you're not alone.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

We make choices every day about how we live our lives; are you making choices that support the life you want?

What is truly important to you?

Can you list the five main priorities in your life? You, and your wellbeing, should be your number one priority. Your relationships with family and friends will probably make the list.

You may also find that you've really wanted to write a book, take some classes, or change your career...are you making that a real priority?

Often, keeping ourselves busy means that we don't spend time and energy on the things that are the most meaningful in our lives.

Take a look at what you truly want in your life, and start looking at how the activities, tasks, and responsibilities that make up your day reflect your priorities.

You may find that you spend only a very tiny fraction of your time on the things that are most important to you!

Start making choices that support what you want, and that's what you will have.

This week, look at the different ways you keep yourself busy. Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I avoiding something in my life by keeping myself busy? If so, what?

What could I delegate, drop, or let go of, that would greatly reduce the busy-ness in my life? Whatever that is, do it!

For the next 10 days, work at eliminating the phrase 'Oh, I'm so busy!' from your vocabulary.

Remember, you really are what you say you are!

Start spending 5-10 minutes a day doing absolutely nothing.

Sitting still, letting your mind experience true quiet, will go a long ways toward reducing the feelings of stress and overwhelm in your life. This will require some of you to make a huge shift, from 'doing' to 'being'!

The busier you are, the more you truly need to give your mind and your body a rest.